CONSUMER

Teelocker has two concept stores in Hong Kong and nine concept stores and concession counters in the mainland. In addition to its official website, it also has official flagship stores on two of China’s leading B2C platforms, Tmall and JD.com. Teelocker does not advertise in traditional media. Instead, it uses social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Weibo to communicate with consumers and carry out marketing and promotion. More

Established in Guangzhou in 2006, Uchoice offering imported chilled seafood and meats online as well as natural health foods. In a bid to enhance the image of Uchoice as a retail brand and expand its clientele, Uchoice has set up accounts in WeChat and Weibo in a move to engage the consumers. It is worth noting that hard sell strategies are not suitable on social networks and a link to the company’s online shop must be in place to bring potential customers to its online shop. More

The many incidents involving food safety and quality on the Chinese mainland over recent years have undermined consumers’ confidence in local food, driving some of them to turn to imported and international branded packaged food and beverages. From 2008 to 2012, China’s packaged food and beverage market grew by an average 15.2% annually, way above the world’s average at 4.1%, underscoring mainland consumers’ growing appetite for these products. More

Trade facilitation of the CAFTA has boosted the China/ASEAN trade, while reinforcing Guangxi’s status as China’s bridgehead to the ASEAN market. Coupled with improving infrastructure, low production costs and the ASEAN opportunities, Guangxi is increasingly attractive to enterprises that are looking for opportunities to expand their production and trading activities. Enterprises there are also the potential clients for Hong Kong’s logistics and supply chain management services providers. More

The beauty industry is witnessing rapid growth on the Chinese mainland. The Ministry of Commerce projects that the total turnover of beauty and hair salons will grow at 15% a year during the “12th Five-Year Plan” period. Presently beauty parlours mainly cater to women customers. However, men also feel the need to look neat and pleasant as part of business etiquette. This study aims to understand the development potential and direction of the industry for the reference of Hong Kong companies. More

As the internet becomes increasingly popular, online advertising is growing rapidly in China. Between 2007 and 2011, online advertising grew at an average annual rate of 48.2%. Compared with traditional media, the cost of online advertising is lower and its audience coverage is more extensive. Moreover, through online advertising, enterprises can build up direct relationships with consumers, allowing them to understand the demand of their customers More

As online shopping gains in popularity, supporting services such as electronic payment and delivery have become more mature. Online marketing has become a new retail channel on the mainland. In order to better protect and balance the rights and interests of consumers and business operators, China is actively improving the laws and regulations regarding e-commerce supervision, seeking to clearly define online commodities, services, as well as the duties and legal liabilities of online trading. More

Green consumption has been sprouting and developing in the mainland market in recent years. According to a questionnaire survey conducted by HKTDC among 2,400 mainland consumers in June 2011, 86% of the respondents reckon that their environmental awareness and behaviour have increased markedly. The Chinese government will promote green lifestyles under the 12th Five-year Programme to encourage the shift to energy-saving and emission-reducing products. More